Ice-cream-brick cutter



Novo A. F. GANTZ ICE CREAM BRICK CUTTER Filed April 13, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet l MTNESSES Nov., 11. 1924. 1,514,848

.. F. GANTZ ICE CREAM BRICK CUTTER Filed April 13 T922 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 V y R2 Amas E' @maz l 1 Nov. 1 1 1924 v A. F.GANTZ ICE CREAM BRICK'C'UTTER Filed Apri; 13, 1922 s sheetssheet lmlmi Amo.:

, Il I HIS ATTQRZVE'Y ANam., M FLQZQ@ A. F. GANTZ ICE CREAM BRICK CUTTER Filed April 13, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR mos Ff fravzx Num 11 A92@ L A. F. GANTZ ICE CREAM BRICK CUTTER Filed April 15, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 um? @SX m n y f h 5g?.

INVENTOR Amos E @an iz .71!! TM 1S ISES gti cut, thus also serving' to facilitate gripping l. citizen of. the. United Patented Nov. vll, 1924.

, UNITED "STA TES 1,514,848 ATENT oFFlcr..

Amos r. eamz. or woon'srown, NEW Jansma 'Icn-oREAM-BBICK GUTTER.

applicati@ inea April 13, 1922. seriaiiro. 552,100.1

To all 'whom t 'may concern.'

Be it known that`I,`AMos F. GAN'rz, a l. States, residingat Woodstown,"in the county of'Salem and Dta'te of New Jersey, have yinvented certain nevi7 and useful Improvements in Ice-Cream- Brlck Cutters,

of which the' following is a specilication.

My'invention relates to a machine for cutting blocks or slabs of ice cream orthe'likeinto bricks" and the object thereof'prlnci-Q pally is to accurately and'rapidly cut or dil vide the largeblock or'slab-into any desired separating and dischargin related as to facilitate the cuttingl action;4

the block or vslab being fed to a cuttlng posil ysize of bricks 4to be wrappedl for protection and sale. fc :Another object of the invention v'1s' to prol ,vide a machine for cuttingslabs or blocks of plastic or other relativelysoft material, such'vas icecream or other vfrozen materials, into smaller portions 'or bricks and to divide the bricks transversely into still smaller portions, and furthermore,j to 'revent adhesion or freezingtogether of t e adjacent edges of the successive pieces. thus cut by separating the bricksk or pieces after being and wrapping thereof for removal Afrom the veyor, tobe stored or boxe as'deSired.

A still further objectof the-invention' is 1 to provide a cutting or slicing maching par'- v-ticularly designed'for cuttin locks ofice cream into bricks an which includes a feeding means or belt andfawrapping'oril slabs -or discharging means or belt vhaving independent driving means capable ofadjustm'entf to.` regulate 'the speed of transfer inthe feed-` ing and discharging action and distance between the separated bricks, in combination with novel cutting means forv cutting the s'labor block into 'bricks-and cnttingthe lbricks into smaller portionsfwhile the feeding, cutting and discharging means are so Ition while the discharging means remains stationary, the cutting mean'sbeing brought intotplay while both the feeding and'dis`- .charging mea-ns are stationary, including the carrying means for the cutter, which carrying 4the cutter or cuttingfblade tomove or feed the severed `bricks forward upon the spacv ing and discharging means, which jlatter 56 4means is brought into play tocause spacing 'also to "facilitate the further vwrapping ofl said severed pieces.

Y cream :to

table or, con.

means serves in conjunction withy or' separation `of the bricksror other severed pieces of ice creamr or the like while the feeding means is stationary so as to prevent transverse' adjacent edges of successive bricks or pieces from adhering or -freezing vtogetherA again e' after theyz have once been severed from 'the main slab or block'and handling or Other objects of the invention are to fa cilitate the cutting yof the bricks into smaller pieces, the rsizes of which may be varied as desired; Vto prevent adherence of the severed pieces or Aof the main block or slab of ice the cuttingl knife which divides T the slab longitudinally and to preventthe raising o r adherence of the blocks with or v.to said knife or adherence to the knives which divide'the'bricks transversely; and to provide novel means whereby small blocks may supports or needles so that a plurality of Vsuch blocks as arranged upon one or more needles maybe simultaneously dipped in chocolate or other material with which they are tobe covered orv coated, thereby greatly facilitating and cheapening the cost of production." i

These objects, and other advantageous 'ends which will bel `described hereinafter, ,I attain v-inflthe following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in Which-P Figure l is a plan view of icecream brickv cutter,

Figure 2is a sideelevation thereof and showing as Figure V 1, the arrangement of the blockv or slab upon the tableand belt and of the bricks or severed piecesupon; the spacing land: discharging table and belt, means being arran ed Vupon the latter table for the purpose of supporting a plurality my improved 'of bricks vfor dipping purposes,

be cut and arranged or strung upon go l cutter is shown as .i and the discharging and wrapping table rey Figure 8 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the linepr8-8 ofFigurel, -V f Figure 9 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8, and

lFigure 10 is a face view of the Vcutting de"- vice shown at Figure 8.

Referring to the the preferred embodimentn of the invention, and in which likereference charactersdes` ignate corresponding Aparts throughout the my vimproved icecream ,brick comprising a frame 10 1ncluding spaced tables or benches 11 and 12 constituting the receiving and feedingtable,

several views,

spectively. These tables consist of tops or pressure boai'ds13 and 14 suitably .sup-l ported at the proper elevation and .in hori? zontal alignment contiguous to each other ,e supporting surface,

and preferably parallel to the floor or other as `through the medium ofthe supportiiigframe including the legs 15vand'16 which are connectedand braced longitudinally ofthe f-rame beneath the top j portion thereof vas through the medium of provided and it should be noted in this con-` strips or rungs 17 also horizontally disposed. this means, a-rigid frame struc-ture is nectionthat the same may be coiistiucted of wood or metal, including the top portions,

as desired. j

As will be noted from the drawings. .the

tables havethe tops`1`3.- and 14 projecting at opposite ends of the frame as indicated at 18 and 19, and intermediately, the inner or adjacent ends of the tops are slightly spaced apart as indicated at 20 so as to produce a gap which is bridged by a bridge plate 21,

the latter being preferably of sheet metal,

. such as coppver,.although I do not desire to be restricted to this material. As indicated, the inner end of the top 13 is centrally recessed as indicated at 22 so as to provide side extensions or furcations 23 ,across which the plate 21 issec-urely fastened at its ends, as,

`ing means or belt vandthe latter constituting the discharging and Wrapping means or belt. The belt 27 is 'traine-d over a roller 29 projecting from the-receiving end 18 and removably supported inbearings 30 and journaled to freely turn therein as well as to be .conveniently removed and replaced.. The roller 29 is arranged with its uppermost surfacesubstantially on a plane so that the drawings in detail, in which for purposes y,of illustration is shown top surface of the table is slightly below it or .substantially tangential thereto so that the top lap of the belt willextend over and freely move along the polished top surface of the table 13 while the other lap operates beneath the table top. The other end of the belt is trained around a driven roller 31v as distinguished from the idler roller 29, the roller 31` being journaled in similar downwardly off-set 'bearings 32 corresponding lto the bearings 30 and preferably securedto the sides of thetable top, while the rolle-r 31 is disposed tooperate inthe recess or cut-out 22. Thebeveled end 25 of the bridge nlate21 will then fit the Vcontour of the belt 27'as trained around theroller 31 so that the material will freely-move olf of the belt, as will be hereinafter more particularly set I The. belt.28,is trained around an idler ,roller 33 removably journaled in bearings 34 at the `adjacente-inner end ofthe table 14, in the same manneras the rollers `V29 .and 31 except that the latter roller isv much larger in diameterand circumference. The beveled end 2GV of the plate 21 is disposedadjacent the belt- 28 as trained over ythe roller 33 and `as the belts move in the same direction, the

ice cream or other material will freely Vpass from the plate onto thefupper lap of the belt 28 withoutcatching or adhering. The lower lap of the belt 28 extends beneath the table 14 in the same manner as the lower lap of the belt 27 extends beneath thev table 13, while the upper lap operates over-and upon the polishedy upper surface of the .table 14 and has its opposite end trained over a drive roller 35 removablyf journaled in Lbearings 36 at the remote end ofthe table 14 and downwardly off-Set as aie the bearings heretofore described.v Y y n In order'to drivetlie belts 27 and-28 so that the speed of movementfthereof may be adjusted and preferably so that the belt 28 will move' faster or-at a greater speed than the belt 27, suitable drive meansare provided. VAs shown, a. shaft 37 is j ournaled transversesupported upon thebottomframe, portion orstrips 17 Vand may be rotated vby hand or otherwise. This shaft is -shownV provided Vly of the machine, asin suit-able bearings with a pulley 38 driven from a suitable prime mover vsuch as electric motor 39 also supported upon the frame beneath they table and around thepulley 40 of which and the pulley 3,8, an endlessguide belt 41 is trained so-,that the shaft 37 `may be ydrivenv at the proper speed. Obviously, the shaft 37 may be driven from a line shaft or otherwise, though lthe driving means described is especially desirable and economical by reason of the use of individual motors and the economy with which the same can be employed.

Also mounted upon and fixed to the shaft 37 as is the pulley-38, is a pulley or sprocket Wheel 42 and around this sprocket wheel and a sprocket wheel 43 fixed to a counter-shaft 44 also journaled transversely of the frame substantially beneath the pla-te 2l is an endless drive member or chain 45, thus driving the shaft 44 at a speed uniform with that of the shaft 37 in the construction shown Where# in the sprocket wheels 42 and 43 are of the same size.

At one or both ends of the drive roller 31 is a ratchet wheel 46 fixed to rotate with the roller, and mounted to freely turn on the shaft or axis of the roller is a cross lever or arm 47 having a spring-pressed pawl 48 enga ed with the beveled teeth of the ratchet wheel 46 at the short arm of the lever. The other or longer arm ofthe lever projects considerably below the roller and has adjustable connection with a rod 49, as through the medium vof a pin 50 engaging a series of spaced apertures 51 in the arm whereby the leverage can be varied. The opposite end of theV rod 49 is adj ustably connected to a c-rank or. crank pin 52 arranged upon the pulley or disk 38 of the shaft 37 so that during rotation of the latter, an intermittent or ste ped movement is imparted to the belt 27) through the drive vroller 31 during the oscillation rof the cross arm or lever 47. This is due to the fact that the pawl 48 will ride over the teeth vof the ratchet Wheel 46 in one direction which would tend to move the belt rearwardly, and engages the teeth in the opposite direction so as to positively move the belt forwardly, the distance or degree of movement of the belt or by Which it is stepped at each oscillation o-f the cross arm being regulated' by the adjustable connection between the rod 49 and the crossl arm.

Fixed uponthe shaft of the roller 35 is a pulley or sprocket wheelf53 ,and around said sprocket wheel and a pulley or sprocket wheel y i 54 suitably fixed to a shaft 55 journaled at the discharge end ofthe frame, is an endless drive member or chainl 56. The shaft 55 i' i carries a ratchet wheel 57 engaged by a springintermittent rotation or oscillation of the shaft 55, thereby imparting intermittenty or` pressed pawl 58 atv one end ofthe cross arm 59 journaled on the shaft in the same manner as the cross arm 47 an'd'ad'apted to similarly drive the shaft 55- through the medium of the ratchet gear. A similar adjustable connection 60 is provided between the longer arm of the cross arm or lever 59 and a'connect'ing rod 61 at one end of the latter, correspond in to the pin and aperture connection heretoore described. The opposite end of the rod 61 is connected to a crank or other suitable actuating connection as indicated at 62 on the counter-shaft 37 and as the latter Shaft is rotated, the oscillation of the arm 59 will through the ratchet connection cause stepped movement t0 the belt' 28, While the' gearing is such as to drive the belt 28 faster than the belt 27. This can be effected in any desired way, or the throw of the cross arm or lever 59 maybe made greater than that of the cross arm 47 so that the belt 28 will be moved a greater distance each time it is moved than 'will be the belt 27, and by arranging the conof movement of the belts 27 Vand 28 may be properly regulated or proportionedso lthat the bricks or pieces of ice cream vor other material as cut will be moved along the belt 28 and spaced apart or separated so as to prevent thetransverse adjacentedges of the successive pieces from adhering or freezing together again after they have once vbeen severed from the main block or slab, and also tol facilitate the manipulation or handling of said severed bricks or pieces, as will be hereinafter more fully" set forth.l v

'As means for cutting the block' or slab of ice cream or lother plastic material into bricks or pieces, transversely ofthe platform or table of the frame, and thus the block or slab, and for movin or feeding the bricks forwardly from t e receiving and feeding table vand belt onto the' disis arranged over the inner or ranged to move over the bridge piece or plate 21, is a frame 63 comprising connected U-shaped side members .or uprights serving as guides for a vertically reciprocating cutvter blade or knife 64. The Vup'rights or guides are designated at 65 and are indicated as adjustably connected by the trans# verse tension rod 66 preferably having threaded ends secured upon opposite sidesof the opposed uprights'as indicated at 67. Guiding and retaining strips 68 are yarranged at the side edges of the cutter blade 64 and outwardlyof thex nprights 65 so as to slide along the latter during the vertical reciprocation of the cutter blade, which latter is limited in its downward movement in close proximity to but slightly spaced from the upper lap of the belt 27 and the bridge plate 21 so as to prevent engagement therewith and dulling or mutilation of the knife edge 69. For this purpose, lower cornersV ofthe knife blade are preferably recessed or cut-out as indicated at 70,

the opposite i charging and wrapping table and belt, there I discharge ends" of the table 13 and the belt 27, and also ar-v lli) the downwardly facing shoulders 71 thus l rvcam surface shaft44 as a pivot andwith the greatestecf. centricity at the` ,endsof the -curved-portionl gagement l clearly shown vin Figures 5 and 6' ofthe drawings, for the purpose specified. The

knife is rendered displaceable so that it'mayY be removed for sharpening, repair or renewal` through the open upper ends of the 4uprights 65.,.suitable U-shaped fasteners or clevlses 7 3 being provided for this purpose. and pivoted to each upright and pivotalfly engaging and. setting upon a shoulder 74 of theother portion as indicated in` Figures 4,- 5 and 6'of the drawings. f

As means for rslid-ably supporting the the cutter` upright from the side bearings or furcations ofthe table 13 and slidably` receive therein` arms 76-securedfto the sides or uprights of the frame 6 3 and disposed vertically on edge but extendin horizontally over 1the. adja- 4 centtable an belt and braced tothe upperl ortions of the -uprights as by the diagonal races 77. The free ends of the arms 76 l are preferably twisted horizontally as indilcated at78andfapert11red at. the extremities for loose-connection with kthe arms 79v -of bell crank levers mounted on' a pivot80 carriedv by the frame structure beneath the table 13.. The connections 81 betweeny the arms 79 and the arms 76 preferably allow slight play or-limited pivotal movement between said partsthough the .preferredk action and tendency is to hold the sliding supv ports in proper relation with the arms v7, 6 inr the slotted Abearings and to prevent gdisrplacement relative thereto. .In connection with the pivot shaft-and as, part ofthe bell crank lever, there isprovided' avhori zontally extending arm, 82 having a forked vend provlding a lower camming trackfor 83 arranged eccentrically to the or cam. The other portion of the fork pro- 'duces a` cam surface 8 4, the free end of which is directed outwardly for initial enbyy a cam or actuating .arm 85 Xed to theshaft 44. These camming portions 83 and 84 are preferably of a slightly resilient nature. and the portion 84 has itsI point of greatest eccentricity toward its free end and gradually approachinga'point of least eccentricity toward the crotch of the fork -so that the camming portions ensurfaces 83 and 84 V,will be alternately or intermittently engaged by the cam 85 for the purpose'of reciprocating the frame A63carrying the cutter blade 64 horizontallyy be- 4 tween the `'full and dotted line positions shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. Both camming portionsfaresuch that the graphs p representing Athe speed and velocity curvesl but more specially representingthe varia` the rod 66 atone portion of vmoving distance than the belt 27 ,f the bricks will be tion in thev forces applied during the oppo-v site movements of the frame, will be harmonic lor gradualy so as` to produce-the least possible vibration and' sothat the greatest pressure will be appliedV at the centralposition of the cam 85 with respect to the cam portion 83, beingfgradually increased vand gradually decreased from minimum to maximumv and then to minimum so as to movetliearm 82 from the solid line position shown in lFigure 4v ofthe drawings to the dotted line arms 79 forwar 63 over the bridge plate 21 to the dotted line position. .The curve of the cam portion 84 is suchk that the greatest force or pressure' Vis vapplied against the same bythe cam 85 ywhen in the osition shown in full lines in again engages with thecam surface, 83.

' Inthe latter position ofthe frame thecutcranks 86 are provided on the shaft 44 and the opposite edges of the cutter blade are 4provided V with trunnions 87 connected toportionv ofthe fork isA position, thus Swingin `the ly and shifting the rame from the dotted line position outwardlyv ory v'rearwardly to' vthe full line positionand will remain iny this position until thecamI 85.

the cranks 86 by rods 88. f It will be noted that the frame `66 and cutter blade 64 are 86 and during. they rotation vof the shaft, the

.cutter blade will be reciprocated vertically in itsguideways so 'as to movedownwardly to a cutting .position and sever a brick when v the frame 63 is stationary or held against horizontal reciprocation and vafter the cutter? bladehwill vbe moved` forwardly tov ad- ,lation of the parts as above describedissuch that when the-cutter blade israised, the feed yter lhas .been completedthe frame andcutbelt 27 operates to advance the slab beneath the cutter blade whilethe latter is stationary and when thecutter blade or knife is moved to sever thebrick, the belt 27 is stationary while the belt 28 is moving-toadvancethe I previously severed brick,.and by reason of ata greater speed-or at a'greater spaced apartupon `the belt 28.. Of course, while the frame 63 1s stationary, the cuttin action is takingplace and lupon substantia completion of the latter, the frame has started to move forwardly and upon completion ofthe cutting action, the frame together with the cutter blade or knife, has comleted its forward movement, the ressure ofthe cutter blade against the kbrick thus severed causing the advancement thereof positioned above the'shaft 44 and its 'cranks 10Q from the feeding belt 27 across the'bridge plate 2l and upon the removing and discharging belt 28, after which the cutter blade is raised and the frame returned to its original position for another cutting operation and yduring this action or return of the frame, the belt 28 will be stationary and the belt 27 will move forward to feed the Slab while during the forward movement of the frame 63, the belt 27 will be stationary and the belt 28 will be operated to advance the bricks thereof in spaced relation in the manner shown in dotted lines in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. In these views, the slab or block is designated at 89 and the blocks or pieces severed at-90 and 91 will indicate different sizes cut by the device under different adjustments of the ratchet gear or feeding mechanism for imparting movements to the belts.

As a convenience in placing the slab or block 89 upon the receiving and feeding belt 27 over the table 13, rails 92 are mounted upon the table in parallel relation to each other along the opposite edges thereof and outwardly of the side edges of the belt so that the sto s or ribs 93 at the sides of. a pan 94 may he engaged upon the rails upon inverting the pan over the belt and table in position to discharge the block or slab forming its contents, upon the belt. This may be accomplished in the ,usual or any preferred manner, especial attention being called to the means whereby the pan may be supported in position to discharge the slab after heating or otherwisefreeing the same, upon the belt, without injury to the belt or table, such as would interfere with the free movement of the belt.

As means for cutting or dividing the bricks thus severed from the slab by thev transverse cutting of the blade or knife 64 when actuated as described, and at right anglesto the cuts produced thereby so as to divide the bricks in pieces of different sizes and transversely of the slab by longitudinal cuts as distinguished from the transverse cuts produced by the blade 64, there is arranged upon the table 14 at its end adjacent to and contiguous with the table 13 and at the receiving end of: the belt 28 and so' as to straddle the latter, a frame 95 preferably of inverted substantially U-shaped conformation having side portions 96 and a top or connecting portion 97,y said side portions or legs 96 having outwardly extending apertured feet or ears 98 through which securing means, such as screws 99, are passed for removably attaching thefframe 95 to and upon the table 14 in an upright position. This frame carries a plurality of horizontally spaced and vertically arranged parallel cutting devices 100 which may be in the form of knives or wires placed under tension and anchored or attached to the top portion 97 as indicated at 101 and at their lower ends to the table 14 if desired.

A vertically adjustable cross brace 102 is provided to receive and intercept the knives or wires forming the cutting devices 100 being apertured for this purpose and having slotted angular ends 103 disposed to engage the sides 96 and secured in positionthrough slots 104 in the sides 96 as by securing and clamping means 105. This construction permits vertical adjustment of the brace 102, which serves as a means ofpreventing the blocks severed from the slab from adhering to the cutter blade 64 and being raised by adhesion thereto as well as serving to scrape or remove the severed material or brick from the blade during the upward movement of the latter when in the dotted line position shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. If desired, the edge of the brace 102 may project from the frame 95 carrying the stationary cutting devices or knives 100 and may be used as a means of calibration of the sides 96 of the removable frame 95, in addition to the adjustment of said brace and scraper to accommodate' slabs of varying thicknesses. It is of course to be understood that when the frame 63 and the cutter blade 64 are advanced from the full line position shown in Figure 4 to the dotted line position shown in said figure and toward the frame 95 and cutting devices 11, that the bricks as severed by the blade 64 will be forced against the cutting devices 100 below the brace k102 and such bricks or pieces will be cut into smaller pieces andk delivered upon the belt 28. The size of these pieces may be regulated by mounting the cutting devices 100 in different the outer :ones while leaving the central one in position, or otherwise varying the number and spacing thereof, as it is thought will be readily understood. Of course, the size of the brick severed from the slab will be variedk according to the degree of movement imparted to the feed belt 27 and the distance which the slab projects in advance or forwardly of the cutter blade 64 before the latter is operated to sever the same. This object may be accomplished by varying the movement of the frame 63 or by changing the position of the connecting rod 49 in the long arm of the cross arm or lever 47 through the medium of the pin and apertures or other adjustable connections of a similar nature provided at this point. The vertical reciprocation of the cutter blade 64 mayv also be adjusted to prevent the cutting edge thereof striking the plate but sufiiciently to give a clean out. The adjustment of the throw of the cross arm 47 and corresponding adjustment of the rod 61 with respect to the cross arm 59 will regulate the spe-ed of operation of the belts and the distance which they are advanced as heretopositions or removing fore described,` and by reason of the drive connections thereto, operating at a greater speed or moving a greater distance at each intermittent or stepped movement thereof than the belt 27 so that the bricks dependingl upon the width'thereof will be spaced apart upon the belt'28 to be discharged and wrapped by any suitable wrapping machine provided for this purpose or to be conveniently grasped by an attendant with the proper wrapping paper to be folded in-position to wrap or cover the bricksv as discharged. This is true whether the bricks are severed into smaller pieces bv the cutting devices 100 or not and it is obvious that the bricks may be produced in quarts, pints or other appropriate `sizes which may in addition b e cut into pieces as required upon any particular occasion.

1 As a facility for dipping small bricks or pieces in chocolate or other material with which they are to be covered, in lieu of dippin the same one at a time or singly, a removaile frame 106 ismounted or adapted to be mounted over the belt 28 at any desire-d position along the length thereof, said frame including spaced uprights 107 having slots 108 in the'upper ends thereof for receiving a cross bar 109 having a series of projections 110 at one side with sockets for receiving common ends of needles orl wires 111 which are clamped in position in any suitable manner as byY meansof set screws 112 so as to render the `same readily detachable from the sockets of the cross bar. The cross bar may be rretained in position in the slots 108 at the u per ends of the uprights of the frame as E retainers or clevises 113 pivoted to certain of the furcations produced by the slots and yengaging the opposite shoulderedportions under tension or yfriction as do the clevises 73, so that displacement of the parts retained in position thereby will be prevented. The needles or wires 111 are straight and constitute -holding devices extending rearwardly over the belt 28 toward the receiving v end thereof and the cutting devices heretofore described so that the free ends 114 kare disposed in juXta-'position to the cutting devices 100 andv to extend'in spaced parallel relation to each other equidistantly between the cutting devices 100 and the-outermost of said devices and the sides of theframe 95. In this position, they are preferably supported by an upright grooved block-115 which rests u on and moves with the upper lap of the be t 28; the needles 111 resting in the grooves 116 extending transversely across-t e top, edge of the block 115 and retained in this position by ablock or plate 117 placed upon the upper edge of the'block 115 and over the needles. This device j constitutes a follower which when placed under the needles serves to support the latter in turn rotated through` y means of U-shaped kto the rotation off blade or knife 64 is caused to `reciprocate,

first bricks extending across the width of f the machine so that the bricks are simultaneously strung upon the needles, preferably twelve on each needle or forty-eight in all, although I .do not desire to be restricted to the capacity stated for it is to be understood that the needles may be as long or as short as desired, oras practice may dictate. The principal fea-ture is that the small bricks or pieces of ice cream asv strun on the needle-S may be simultaneously dippe in chocolate or other coating material of a similar nature, Ipreach individual needle removed forfdipping the supported bricks thereof, thus greatlyk facilitating the coating or dipping operation over the present method of dipping the bricks separately or singly for producing chocolate coated ice cream or other similar confections.

In the operation of the` machine, the shaft 37 is rotated in any suitable manner as by the motor v39 or may be driven by hand or otherwise. As shown, the operation of the motor 39 transmits rotation tothe shaft 37 through the belt'41 and the shaft 44 is in the drive connection ywith the shaft 37 produced by the sprocket wheels 38 and 43 and the needles, kdrive member or chain 45. Thile the shaft 37 is rotating, the connecting rods 49 and 61 are reciprocated to cause oscillation of the cross arms 47 and 59 in oppositely timed relation so .as to intermittently andy alternately im artl movem'cnt to the traveling belts 27 an 28'respect1vely. kAt the same time, due

the shaft 44, the cutter vertically in its frameor bearings through the medium of the crank rods 88 connecting the trunnions of the cutter blade with the cranks 86. I At the-same time, the cam 85 is rotated and alternately engagesthe cam surfaces 83 and 84. with an intemnediate'intermittent inactive position so thatthe frame 63 of the cutter blade 64 remains stationary while the cutter .blade is being lowered, Ithe cam 85 being betweenthe cam surfaces 83 vand 84 at the bightportion produced thereby and While the crank 86 1s on its down-M ward swing. When the cam 85 engages lthe surface 83, the frame and blade are moved forward after the cutting operation and the engagement of the cam 85 with ythe 'cani' surface or track 84 causes the-return of the frame and blade to cutting position. With the parts operating as described, a pan, such as 94, containingthe block or slab of ice cream, cake or other plastic material, isy arranged in position over the receiving and feeding belt 27 withr the stops or ribs 98 resting upon the supports or side rails 92 in such position as to hold the lower edge of the panin spaced relation to the belt. The contents of the pan are forced out onto the belt 27 partly supported or sustained by'the table 13 and as the belt is moved forwardly, the slab is caused to project at the proper time beneath the blade 64 when in the raised position shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. While the belt is stationary, the knife or blade 64 is, brought down to sever afportion ofthe block. or slab transversely so that it may be divided -longitudinally into aseries of bricks or pieces of the required size and as desired, according to the regulation of the distance which the belt 27 e moves and thereby the distance which the slab projects from be neath and beyond' the blade 64. When ythe ,blade 64 has moved downwardly andV severed a portion of the slab to produce the brick, the belt 28 is then started and the frame 68 and blade 64 are moved forward to advance the brick cut upon the plate 21 to a position upon the` belt 28 where it may be grasped for wrapping by yhand or discharged into a suitable wrapping machine or device for this purpose. o v

. By having the be-lt 28 which constitutes the'discharging means, move faster than the belt 27 constituting the feeding means, or to travel a greater portion or proportion of its length or than the distance traveled by the belt 27, the bricks will be spaced apart upon the belt 28 so that they may be conveniently` grasped by an attendant preferably with a covering of paper which may produce-the wrapper. This prevents adhesion of the bricks to one another as does'also lthe advancing movement of the ktrame 68 andits cutter blade in bridging the4 gap'between the two belts where thematerlal and especially ice cream, would be likely to freeze and adhere, such as to the blade 64 and the plate 2l. y

When the cuttingdevices 100 are 1n use for cuttingy the bricks into smaller pieces 'longitudinally so as to divide thev same as explained. i

transversely of the machine or slab,the

bricks are forced into the cutting devices uponthe advancing movement of theframe I 63 and lare thereby` cut and'fed* onto the belt 28 in the same manner as heretofore described, after which they may be wrapped should it be desired to' cui the `tricks into small pieces` or smallerA bricks for dipping, the needles 111 are arranged in position as ldescribed and after the pieces of ice cream are fed or strung onto the same against `the action of the follower which supports the free ends of the needles and is. produced primarily by the block 115, the machine is stopped as by suitable means controllino the operation of the motor 39 or otherwise stopping the rotation of the shaft 37 and then all of the needles are removed and the small pieces or bricks of ice cream or other material as arranged thereon are dipped. On the other hand, the wires may be removed singly for simultaneously dippingV the bricks which they carry, but 1n either event the operation is greatly facilitated over the present method generally practiced.

After each brick is severed and carried forward, the block is carried forward for the severance of another brick by the vertically reciprocating knife and it should be noted that this severance takes place over the bridge plate 21 so that injury to the belt is, prevented such as would occur if the belt were running beneath the cutter blade or'knife. Furthermore, by suppo-rtingthe pla-te 21 upon the spaced portions or furcaor discharge end of the belt 27. This is important since the material is fed toward the edge of the plate 21 which is arranged tangentially over the belt 27 whereas the opposite edge of the pla-te is arranged over the belt 28 and the material discharges from upon the plate 21 under the belt 28 away from the edge instead of toward it.

ThisA construction Vwill prevent shearing or catching of the slab or block previously to being cut and which vwould obviously interfere with the operation of the machine. This operation is continued until the entire slab is cut, when another slab may be placed upon the feeding belt and the operation continued. By varying the lengths of the `belts and tables,the capacity yof the machine can be 'regulated or greatly increased'since by having the parts longer, a larger number of attendants maybe `accommodated in han` the ymachinewill obviate the necessity of ypreferred or well known construction. Thus,

handworkand guessing in cutting the bricks o andseparating the same, thereby vinsuring accurate and economicaly measurement as well as cleanliness and the maintenance of a highly sanitary product, Y

The parts of the machine may be readil cleaned to carry out this purpose and ina dition, the operation is such as to insure a ist V- feeding l ing a feeding large capacity consistent with the 'other manyy factors referred to and for accomplishing the various objects specified.

While I have described my invention `las" taking a .particular form,

i ters Patent is 1. An ice cream brick cutter including a device and a discharging device; a bridge plate between the feeding and the discharging devices; a cutter disposed above the bridge plate, means for actuating the cutter vertically to sev-er a block and means for actuating the cutter horizontally to move .the severed part onto the discharging device.

2. An ice cream brick cutter including a feeding device and a' discharging device mounted in alignment and spaced apart; a bridge plate closing the space betweenthe feeding and the discharging devices; a cutter disposed'above the bridge plate; means for actuating thecutter vertically.to sever a block, and means for actuating the cutter horizontally to move the severed part onto the discharging device. e

3, A cutter of the class described comprisdevice; a discharging device; a cutter between said devices and serving as al transfer means to move the cutk material onto'the discharging device, said cutting device serving to sever thema-terial in one direction; and an additional cutter engaging the material as passed onto the discharging device so as to .sever the Same in anotherv direction; substantially as described.

4. A cutter of therclass described including a feeding device; a discharging device, the feeding and discharging means having intermittent movement; a cutting device adapted to vsever the material in one direction, and a cutting device adapted to sever the material in a transverse direction,` the discharging device serving to move'the severed pieces in spaced relation while the feeding device is inactive, substantially asy described.

5. A cutter of the classdescribed'compris a discharging device; a cutter between said devices, said cutting device serving to sever the'materialA in 'one direction, said feeding and discharging devices having intermittent movement, said cutting device serving tosever the material transversely ;..andy a cutter engaged by the pieces severed transversely upon movement thereof onto theV discharging device to sever said pieces longitudinally; substantiallyv as described.

6.A cutter of the class described compris-y l onto the the discharging device to sever said piecesv longitudinally; substantially asV del scribed. y

7. A cutter of the class described comprising a feeding device; a discharging device;

cutter between said devices and serving as a transfer meansto move the cut material ontoj the discharging device, said cutting del'vice serving to sever the'- material' in one direction, said feeding and discharging devices having .internfiittentv movement, said cutting devices serving to sever ythe material transversely; :and ya cutter engaged bythe pieces severed transversely uponr movement thereof onto the dischargingl device to sever said 'pieceslongitudinally, said discharging device moving a greater distance at each intermittent movement than the feeding device; substantially as described.

8. A cutter of the'class described comprising a feeding device; afdischarging device;

. la cutter between said devices and serving as a transfer means t0 move the cut vmaterial onto the discharging device, said cutting device servingto sever the material in one direction, said yfeeding and discharging de vices having` intermittent movement, said cutting devices servingl to sever the. material transversely; a cutter engaged by the pieces severed transversely -upon movement thereof onto the discharging device to sever said pieces longitudinally; and means arranged upon the discharging device to receive and support the severed pieces in spaced relation to ypermit simultaneous treatment thereof; substantially'as described. f 9.r In a machine of the character described, a feeding device; a discharging device; and a cutter 4interposed between said devices4 and movable to transferthe cut materialfrom the feeding device to the dischar ing device, said feeding device being movab discharging device is stationary AandviceV versa, saidl cutting device being stationaryy with respectto the direction of feed of the feeding device during the cutting operation and while the feeding device is stationary;

e while the movable while the discharging device is stationary and vice versa, said cutting device being stationary with respect to the direction of feed of the feeding device during the cut-ting operation and moving thereafter to transfer t e severed piece onto the discharging device, said discharging device being then movable to discharge the material thus cut; substantially as described.

l1. In a machine of the character described, a feeding device; a discharging device; and a cutter interposed between said devices and movable to transfer the cut material from the feedin device to the discharging device, said ceding device being movable While the discharging device is stationary and vice versa, said cutting dev ice being stationary with respect to the irection of feed of the feeding device during the cutting operation and moving thereafter .to transfer the the severed iece onto the discharging device, said disc arging device being then movable while the feeding device is stationary, after which said discharging device is stationary and the Ifeeding device movable to advance the material. to be cut,

said cutting device being returned to a cutting position during the advancement of said material and operated to cut the same while the feeding means is stationary; substantial- 1y as described.

12. In a machine of the character described, a feeding device; a discharging device; and a cutter interposed between said devices and movable to transfer the cut inaterial from the feeding device to the discharging device, said feeding device .being movable while the discharging device is stationary and yvice versa, said cutting device being stationaryiwith respect to the direction of feed of the feeding device during theA cutting operation and moving thereafter to Atransfer the severed piece onto the discharging device, said discharging device being then movable while the feeding device is stationary, after which said discharging device is stationary and the feeding device movable to advance the material to be cut, said cutting device being returned to a cutting position during the advancement of said material and operated to cut the sameA while the feeding means is stationary; a plurality of cutting devices for severing the material longitudinally as delivered from the feeding device to the discharging device by the cutting and serving as means to prevent adhesion of the material to parts engaged therewith after the transfer; means for adjusting the movements of the feeding device; and means for adjusting ythe movements of the discharging device; substantially as described.

In a machine of the character described, a feeding device; a discharging device; and a cutter interposed between said .ing device,

devices and movable to transfer the cut material from the feeding device to the discharging device, said feeding device being movable while the discharging device isstation-ary and vice versa, said cutting device being stationary with respect to the direction of feed of the feeding device during the cutting operation and moving thereafter to transfer the severed piece onto the discharging device, said 'discharging device being then movable while the feeding device is stationary, after which said discharging device is stationary and the feeding device movable to advance the material to be cut, said cutting device being returned to a cutting position during the advancement of said material and operated to cut the same while the feeding means is stationary; a plurality of cutting devices for severing the material longitudinally as delivered from the feeding device to the discharging device by the cutting and serving as means to prevent adhesion of the material to parts engaged therewith after the transfer; common means for driving said parts; and a series of devices arranged over the discharging means for supporting the cut pieces as discharged in a common plane; substantially as described.

14. In a machine of the character describedya feeding device; a discharging device; and a cutter interposed between said devices and movable to transfer the cut material from the feeding device to the discharging device, said feeding device being movable while the discharging device is stationary and vice versa, said cutting device being stationary with respect to the direction of feed of the feeding device during the cutting operation and moving thereafter to transfer the severed piece onto the dischargsaid discharging device 'being then movable while the feeding device is stationary, after which said discharging device is stationary and the feeding device movable to advance the material to be cut, said cutting device being returned to a cutting position during the advancement of said material and operated to cut the same while the feeding means is stationary; a plurality of cutting devices for severing the material longitudinally as delivered from the feeding device to the discharging device by the cutting and servin as means to prevent adhesion of the material to parts engaged therewith after the transfer; and means arranged over the discharging device and supported to engage the severed pieces of material so as to string the same retilinearly in spaced relation as cut and discharged, said devices being removable from over the discharging means; substantially as described.

15. In an ice cream brick cutter, a frame; a pair of intermittently operated conveyors mounted upon the frame, one of said conveyors constituting a receiving and feeding tributing conveyor conveyor and the other a distributing and wrapping conveyor; means upon the framey for receiving a containerfor a slab to be cut whereby said slab lmay be placed upon the feeding conveyor, the movements of the conveyorsibeing adjusted so that the dismoves faster than the feeding conveyor; anda plurality of cutters to'sever the 'slab into pieces as fed and discharged; substantially as described.

416. 'In an icecream brick cutter, a frame;

i a 'pair vof intermittently operated conveyors 2b' the feeding conveyor; a

transferred from one of said con mounted. upon the frame,

veyors constituting a receiving and feeding` conveyor and the other a distributing andwrapping conveyor; means upon the frame for receiving a container for a slab to be `cut whereby said slab may be placed upon bridge piece carried by the frame and bridging the gap between the conveyors. whereby the material may be y the feeding conveyor to the discharging conveyor; an

lvice -at the discharge end of the feeding conveyor andv including a after the severance of the material to deposit the same upon the discharging conveyor and returnable thereafter to a cuttin position; substantially as described.

. transferred from the the dischar g conveyor; at the disc arge end of the conframe movable upon i the frame and bridging 1 In anice cream brick cutter, a frame;

a vvpair of intermittently 'operated conveyors mounted upon the frame, one of said conveyors constituting a receiving and vfeeding conveyor and the other a distributing and Wrapping conveyor; means upon the frame for receiving a container for a slab to'be cut may be placed upon the whereby said slab feeding conveyor; by

the gap betweenl the a bridge piece carri conveyors whereby t e material maya cutting device veyor and including a L the discharging conveyor and -thereof with t described.

19. The combination withan ice creamV a cutting de.

fra-ine movable feeding conveyor to f VVitnesses:l

means for receiving and supporting a slab to be cut; means for advancing said slab'inter` v lmittently; means for severing the slab into i (i0V sections yas advanced;and receiving means for .the sections to discharge the same in spaced relation, said means h-avmg means for Stringing the sections; substantially as said cuttingr the' bridge the class described, j

brick cutter havingcmeans for spacing the f bricks as cut;` of means for receiving and by they may series; substantially as described.

20. 'ln an ice cream brick cutter,

bination with advancing means; of a cutting moving the cutting device bodily to transfer the material cut to the discharging device the fcomarranging Ythe bricks upon supports where` vhandled simultaneously in l vdevice havin vertically reciprocating move? ment; a disc arging device; and means for.

and return they same Ato its 'initial position,

said cutting a blade, said a during the cutting operation; substantially as described. l

In testimony device including a frame andk frame being bodilyimmovable whereef i have signed my:

name to this specification inthepresence ofl betwo subscribing witnesses. s .l

' I" AMOS F. GANTZ p 

